Jessica Jahiel's HORSE-SENSE Newsletter Archives

Riding once a week

From: Diann

Hi, Jessica. Glad you had a good trip. I would like to ask you about the recent activity I have embarked on with my horse. He is an anglo arab that just turned 16. In the past, I rode him virtually every day working on dressage, but the last 3 years or so I have gotten away from riding because I have no one to ride with and I grew tired of always riding alone. Recently, I decided that it would be something fun for both of us if I took a weekly lesson and started him over fences. He is out on pasture all the time, and runs with another horse, so he does get some exercise on his own, but do you think it is bad that sometimes I only ride him this one time a week? The lesson is only 30 to 45 mins. and the jumps are just cavaletti and very small jumps. He has not shown any soreness and seems very youthful for his age (I think that's the arab influence). I always intend to ride more frequently, but often do not carry through on it. I am not expecting this training to go anywhere with only a weekly lesson, I just figure it's better than not riding him at all and at least we enjoy each other for that one day a week. Do you think this is unwise? Should I wrap his legs? I have never wrapped in the past and have never had leg problems. Thanks for your advise! P. S. The ride over to the lesson site and back is 10- 15 mins. each way, so he walks that before and after the lesson.

Diann

Hi Diann! You really have two different questions here -- one is whether a sixteen-year-old horse can learn to jump small fences and enjoy it -- the answer is YES, provided that you do a thorough warm-up and are happy with your flatwork before you jump those low jumps. Bone is being remodeled as long as the horse is alive and moving around, and as long as you don't jump more than a handful of low fences, on good footing, you aren't likely to hurt your horse. Do bear in mind, though, that jumping makes its own specialized demands on the horse's body, and that you will need to do some sport-specific conditioning to safeguard your horse. And remember that more serious and more regular jumping will make much bigger demands on your horse. Muscles can be changed and added relatively quickly, but bone and support structures (tendons and ligaments) take between a year and a year and a half to become strong and conditioned -- and that's with a systematic conditioning program!

The second question is whether a horse should be jumped once a week if that day is the only day that the horse is ridden. This one isn't so easy to answer. If your horse runs in the pasture with his buddy, that's certainly better than staying indoors. And just walking around the pasture will keep him "walking-around" fit. He'll be much fitter and healthier and happier than he would be if he lived in a stall -- but he won't be JUMPING fit, and he won't be in the sort of condition that will allow him to keep going safely after he gets a little tired.

I think that you should talk this over with your vet. He may have some suggestions re exercising and shoeing -- and he knows your horse and your horse's history, which can make quite a difference. And when you've done that, talk it over with your instructor too.

If you decide to keep doing your weekly jumping lesson, try to minimize any possible ill effects by making a point to get out and ride at least two other times during the week -- not over fences, but practicing the flatwork exercises that your instructor gives you. The fun you have at your lessons should give you some incentive to ride between those lessons!

As for wrapping -- polos and other such wraps are not especially supportive, although they will help guard against a sharp blow such as that of one leg striking into another. My recommendation would be that you invest in a pair of supportive, concussion-reducing boots for your horse's front legs. They can make quite a difference to his comfort and safety level! The best boots, IMO (and according to the most recent comparative testing) are made by Les Vogt's ProEquine. They are available at most tack shops, and are significantly better- made (and also proven to reduce concussion more effectively) than the popular Professional's Choice boots. If you always use the front leg boots for jumping, and you jump low fences, under supervision, once a week on a sound horse that gets 24-hour turnout and several days of regular exercise, I think you'll have done everything possible to safeguard your horse. Have fun!

Jessica

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